Business

lucky winner in chester

During Chester’s Christmas Merchants Open House, Lassen Gift Co. offered a chance to get a discount on the items visitors purchased that night. Owner Sharon Henry said several customers received discounts of 10 to 40 percent, but the highlight was when Carolyn Erickson, from Gridley, drew a ticket for 100 percent off her purchase and walked out the door with more than $70 in free merchandise. Sharon said over the years they have had several 100 percent off tickets drawn and “it’s always exciting,” since the winners don’t know until after the sale is totaled.

winemaker’s dinner Friday

Lynn Hagen at the Grizzly Grill in Blairsden is having a winemaker’s dinner with Trevor Bartlett of Indian Peak Vineyards on Friday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m. It will be a four-course meal(that includes dessert) with a different wine paired with each course. Reservations are recommended: call 836-1300.

Buys barbershop George Scheuchenzuber III has been cutting hair at Hugh’s Barbershop on Main Street in Quincy for three years and, “with a haggle and handshake,” bought the business from longtime owner Hugh Ausmus, who has moved to Oregon. He renamed it Downtown Barbershop. In addition to haircuts, George — whose father and grandfather were also barbers — also offers the traditional hot shaves. In his spare time, he says, he enjoys working on his land and digging for gold. Photo by Holly Buus

PLUMAS BANK’s holiday mixers

Plumas Bank is celebrating the season with the community by hosting its annual holiday mixers. Today, Wednesday, Dec. 12, the gathering at the Portola office will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. You can also enjoy refreshments when you do your everyday banking at the Greenville or Quincy branches beginning Wednesday, Dec. 12, through Friday, Dec. 14. The Chester office will have its Customer Appreciation Days from Wednesday, Dec. 19, through Friday, Dec. 21. Don’t forget to pick up your 2013 calendar, featuring local photographers “Capturing the Colors in Plumas Bank Country,” while you’re there!

holiday tasting fair this weekend

The new owner of Young’s Market in Taylorsville, Kelly Tan, is hosting a holiday tasting fair Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 15, from noon to 5 p.m. Besides the experience she gained while working for Whole Foods for 12 years, Kelly has been catering holiday parties, weddings and fundraisers for more than 20 years and now offers her expertise locally. Be sure to stop by and sample many the new items she carries in the store and uses for catering, including an array of cheeses, crackers, cured meats and cookies. Beginning this week she is making her own sausage using all natural pork complemented by several special spices. Obviously, you can’t work for a dozen years at a gourmet store like Whole Foods and not learn something!

graeagle’s holiday festival

This Saturday, Dec. 1, from 1 to 6 p.m., Graeagle celebrates its 18th annual Holiday Festival. Along with the merchants opening their doors with lots of merriment, libations and food, there will be a horse-drawn lighted trolley offering rides up and down the main drag, street carolers, Santa and the traditional tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. We’ll see you there!

merchants open houses, events

Countywide, between now and Christmas your merchants are doing their part by hosting many activities and sales events starting with Black Friday — the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season the day after Thanksgiving.   Merchants in Chester are staying open Friday until 9 p.m. offering tasty treats, special discounted pricing and lots of prize giveaways. Other activities at this annual festivity include an appearance by Santa and ABC Center’s Christmas tree lighting (Hospice lights its tree Saturday at 6 p.m.).